Jeepers, after missing four weeks, at a position as exacting as netminding, is there any concern that Miikka Kiprusoff might —

“None at all,” interjected Curtis Glencross, not interested in hearing the rest of the question. “Kipper’s a world-class goalie. Everyone knows it. He’s one of them goalies that could be the difference on any given night.

“Look at some of the saves he makes during the year. There’s at least one save a game that everyone’s in awe about.”

So there are no worries about the Calgary Flames netminder’s capabilities.

Nor his fitness.

“When a guy goes out and gets injured, it’s not a holiday around here,” continued Glencross. “You’re in the gym. You’re on the one-legged bike. Anyone that goes down with a knee injury, by the time you’re done with the one-legged air bike, everyone wants to break it.”

Kiprusoff, who was hurt making a save Feb. 5 in Detroit, is a good bet to start Wednesday against the visiting San Jose Sharks. However, no confirmation came from the team.

Coach Bob Hartley pointed out that his star goalie hasn’t even been cleared by team medical staff. Indeed, Kiprusoff still resides on the injured-reserve list.

“Nothing has changed,” said Hartley. “Kipper had a great day of work (Tuesday at practice) — there’s no pain. Kipper looks good. He feels good. When the doctors give us the green light, I think it’s going to be an easy decision.”

But it is a fine line between needing your star and rushing him into action.

“You’ve got to have your player 100 per cent, unless it’s playoffs,” said goalie coach Clint Malarchuk. “With a knee or a groin with a goalie, you’ve got to be all there or else it’s going to be a reoccurring thing and we don’t want that. He’s got to get his game-timing down again, that’s all. That’s the biggest thing — you’ve got to get in there and play.”

The Flames players, with No. 34 tapping his foot on deck, went to great lengths to note to contributions of fill-ins Leland Irving, Joey MacDonald, Danny Taylor.

“They did great jobs — kept us in games,” said Mark Giordano. “They gave us great chances to win every game. When Kip does get back in . . . we’re just asking for more of the same — just give us a chance to win.”

With Kiprusoff in harness, the Flames went 2-3-2 through the opening weeks of the season.

They’ve gone 6-5-2 with Irving, Taylor and MacDonald pitching in.

But no one is doubting Kiprusoff’s value.

“When you get the most valuable player on your hockey club back,” said Glencross, “it’s a huge boost for everyone.”

Added Jay Bouwmeester: “He’s been the backbone of the team here for a long time. You’re just used to having him back there. He’ll come back when he’s ready to come back. He knows — he’s old enough, he’s been around long enough — his workload and what he can handle.”

Unlike defencemen or forwards, a returning goalie’s minutes cannot be managed in-game. He doesn’t have the luxury of spot duty.

A netminder, rust and all, is there for everybody to see — and exploit.

“Yeah, there’s no sheltering a goalie,” said Giordano. “But he’s put the work in. He’s obviously an all-star in this league, so it just adds to our team, for sure. I don’t think anyone’s concerned at all.”

For the players, a resumption of normalcy is something to embrace.

In one three-game stretch last month, they played in front of three different (non-Kiprusoff) starters. Which can be a challenge for defenders.

“With any goalie, you just have to communicate and talk to him when he goes and plays pucks,” said Giordano. “But, obviously, Kipper has that dimension where he can fake guys out on his own, where he beats the one forechecker for you.”

Kiprusoff is an under-rated puckhandler.

Maybe the 36-year-old can’t rip it like Phoenix Coyotes mainstay Mike Smith, but he is in control.

“Kip does a good job of taking charge back there,” said Chris Butler. “He brings a level of comfort. He doesn’t seem to panic when he gets the puck. He always seems to make the right play.

“Any time a guy like Kip — or someone of his calibre — comes back, it’s a boost for the team. I think he’s the best goaltender in the league. “

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Kiprusoff's return to Flames' net on Wednesday is a distinct possibility

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